Skipper Harmanpreet fired a hat-trick but India were far from impressive in their narrow 4-3 win over lower-ranked China in their Asia Cup opener, here Friday.
Harmanpreet (20th, 33rd, 47th minutes) converted three penalty corners but missed a penalty stroke. The other goal getter for India was Jugraj Singh (18th).
China’s goals came through Shihao Du (12th), Benhal Chen (35th) and Jiesheng Gao (41st).
India stood on the right side of the result but the hosts didn’t have a very good day in office and were guilty of letting China come into the match.
India also squandered plenty of chances, converting just four out of 11 penalty corners.
As expected India started on an offensive note and created their first opportunity with the first move. Mandeep Singh set it up for Sanjay but his shot was saved by Chinese goalkeeper Weihao Yang.
India kept up the pressure and seconds later secured their first penalty corner from which Mandeep scored but the goal was disallowed for a push by the striker after China went for referral.
Minutes later Dilpreet Singh’s reverse hit from close range was saved by the Chinese custodian. It was China who took the lead from their first penalty corner in the 12th minute through Shihao Du.
A minute from the end of first quarter India had two more bright chances but on the first occasion Abhishek was denied by Wehao and then skipper Harmanpreet Singh flicked wide from the home team’s second penalty corner.
India restored parity three minutes into the second quarter with a perfect penalty corner conversion by Jugraj. Two minutes later India earned their fourth set piece and this time Harmanpreet scored with a powerful dragflick.
A minute later the hosts secured another penalty corner but wasted the chance.
China also got another penalty corner soon but shot wide.
It was raining penalty corners for India as the hosts secured another three minutes from halftime, but Harmanpreet’s flick was brilliant saved by a diving Weihao to his left.
India continued from where they left in the first half and extended their lead three minutes into the third quarter from another penalty corner conversion by Harmanpreet.
China, however, pulled a goal back two minutes later through Benhai Chen, whose flick from a penalty corner went through the legs of India keeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
In the 39th minute India had a golden opportunity to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke for a foul on Mandeep but Harmanpreet hit the post.
India had to pay heavy price for that miss as two minutes later Jiesheng Gao converted a penalty corner to level the scores at 3-3 as Pathak was found wanting yet again.
But luck favoured India as they secured three back-to-back penalty corners in the 47th minute, the last of which was put into goal by Harmanpreet. Three minutes from the final hooter, India secured another penalty corner but didn’t score.
In the first match of Pool A, Japan crushed lowly Kazakhstan 7-0.
For Japan, Koji Yamasaki (13th, 36th) scored a brace, while Kosei Kawabe (1st), Naru Kimura (5th), Ken Nagayoshi (48th), Shota Yamada (50th) and Ryosuke Shinohara (54th) were the other goal scorers.
The India-China match was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who paid tribute to Major Dhyanchand on the occasion of National Sports Day before the start.
India will next play Japan on Sunday, while China will be up against Kazakhstan.
Dominant Malaysia beat Bangladesh 4-1, Korea start title defence in style
Malaysia came from a goal down to crush lower-ranked Bangladesh 4-1 before title holders Korea thrashed Chinese Taipei 7-0 in Pool B matches of the men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament, here on Friday.
In the second match of Pool B, Dain Son (17th, 29th, and 58th minute) slammed a hat-trick, Jihun Yang (27th, 50th) struck twice from penalty corners before Seyong Oh (53rd) added another from field effort. Korea pumped in two more goals through Yoonho Kong (54th) and Son in the final minutes of the match to register a dominating win.
Earlier in the opening match of the tournament, Malaysia, ranked 12th in the world, scored three field goals through Ashran Hamsani (25th minute), Akhimullah Anuar (36th), Muhajir Abdul Rauf (48th) before Syed Cholan (54th) struck from a penalty corner.
However, it was 29th ranked Bangladesh who took the lead against the run of play in the 16th minute when Ashraful Islam converted a penalty corner.
Stunned by the goal, Malaysia threw numbers upfront and started attacking with great intent in search of the equaliser and their efforts bore fruit five minutes from halftime through Hamsani’s fine field strike.
A slow start notwithstanding, Malaysia continued their dominance by pumping in three more goals in the final quarter — two from field play and from a set piece to register a comfortable win.
While Malaysia utilised just one of the four penalty corners they earned in the match, Bangladesh secured two and scored from one.
Malaysia will next play the title holders and five-time champions South Korea next on Saturday, while Bangladesh will be up against Chinese Taipei earlier in the day.
In Pool A matches on Friday, Japan will play Kazakhstan and India finish off the day’s proceedings against China.
The Asia Cup is a direct qualification tournament for next year’s FIH World Cup to be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30.